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Ngala Lodge

The Ngala Reserve, situated within the Timbavati Game Reserve adjacent to the Kruger National Park, shares the Kruger's exceptional bio-diversity and thus the Ngala Lodge is a wonderful base from which to sally forth on safari.

Ngala is Shangaan for lion, and the reserve is home to one of the highest concentrations of lion in South Africa. Huge breeding herds of elephant favour the dense Mopane forests and frequently wander through the camp.

You may see the elusive leopard, the cheetah, big herds of buffalo and white rhino. Ngala is also home to many unusual species, such as aardvark, pangolin, Cape hunting dog and caracal.

The reserve is now run jointly by Conservation Corporation Africa and the Kruger National Park in a landmark agreement that has proved to be an entirely successful symbiotic relationship between the private sector and government organisation.

The Ngala Lodge is unashamedly luxurious and sophisticated. Breakfast and lunch are served in the wonderfully spacious central lounge and dining facility where cool green slate floors combine with high thatch. Chairs to sink into, richly woven rugs and artefacts collected from throughout the continent give an authentic "old Africa" feel.

This is the place to unwind, to reminisce on the events of the day and to listen to tales of the wild from the Ngala rangers. Dinner is eaten in the romantic candle-lit courtyard beneath twinkling stars and the lacy canopy formed by the indigenous trees.

Lovely crystal, silver and Villeroy and Bosch china match the standards set by the cuisine. You may select from a superb table d'hôte menu prepared by the cordon bleu chef.

The lodge has twenty luxurious bush cottages, complete with en-suite bathrooms, with bath and shower facilities. They are decorated superbly, in keeping with the "old Africa" theme.

Set quietly away in a secluded part of the camp, Ngala's Safari Suite is the ultimate in luxury. A private sundeck overlooks a waterhole from where you may watch the animals come to drink in complete privacy. The lovely bathroom has a pristine white 1920's roll-top bath and twin sun-drenched shower overlooking the canopy of surrounding trees. There is an additional bathroom, a private garden and swimming pool.

The game drives and walks at Ngala are exciting and fascinating. Set off at first light or late afternoon, when the animals tend to be most active, and experience the abundant wildlife, lovely scenery and glorious sunrises and sunsets. You may also spend the night at Mashaba's Rest, a sleep-out boma, where in absolute safety, you may enjoy a magical night at a waterhole disturbed only by sounds of the wild.